Maillard reaction products inhibit the periodontal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by chelating iron.

Objective: To determine the mechanism of growth inhibition of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by Maillard reaction products (MRP).

Design: Growth and cell viabilities in the presence or absence of MRP were measured for both the rough and smooth variants of the bacteria. Effects of addition of ferrous and ferric ions on the inhibition of the bacteria by MRP were determined.

p53 inhibits mRNA 3' processing through its interaction with the CstF/BARD1 complex.

The mechanisms involved in the p53-dependent control of gene expression following DNA damage have not been completely elucidated. Here, we show that the p53 C terminus associates with factors that are required for the ultraviolet (UV)-induced inhibition of the mRNA 3' cleavage step of the polyadenylation reaction, such as the tumor suppressor BARD1 and the 3' processing factor cleavage-stimulation factor 1 (CstF1). We found that p53 can coexist in complexes with CstF and BARD1 in extracts of UV-treated cells, suggesting a role for p53 in mRNA 3' cleavage following DNA damage.